Movement is something many of us take for granted. We move along without pain unaware of the role movement plays in our health. That is until something or someone brings that message home.
I have seen physical therapists working with older adults to regain mobility after a hip fracture or a stroke. I have been honored to work along side physical therapist who strive to assist clients of all ages have the highest level of function for the best quality of life.
World Physical Therapy Day (Sept 8, 2012) has a theme of “Movement for Health – Fit for Life”. The World Conference for Physical Therapy has four key messages they are lifting this day:
• If you want to keep healthy, keep moving – all
through your life.
• People who stay active are more likely to keep
working, engaging and enjoying without having
to depend on others. They are fit for life.
• Inactivity causes disability and contributes to
millions of deaths around the world every year.
It can lead to heart disease, stroke, diabetes and
cancer.
• You’re never too young or too old to stay
active – just half an hour of moderate exercise
(like walking fast) every day can make a real
difference.
Most of us can use these key messages to inform our lives – before (or after) we require the skilled assistance of a physical therapist. Move each day as you are able. Parents should join their kids in moving: play a game in the yard, ride bikes, go for a walk, …
hokey pokey (Photo credit: sun dazed)
As a music therapist, I like to recommend adding some music to the mix. Dance, sing, play, march…have fun.
- Do the Hokey Pokey or the Chicken dance as a family.
- Dance a polka or the macarena or any dance for that matter.
- Play freeze dance letting the children have a chance to start & stop the music.
- Create some instruments and march around the house.
Let’s support our physical therapist by getting people up and moving. And remember to have fun while you move.
A big thank you to physical therapists for all you do to help people live a quality life.
Hi JoAnn,
I am getting physical therapy right now and am very appreciative of the knowledge and skill of the physical therapists I am working with. Thanks for saluting them and for your message about the importance of making movement a part of our daily lives.
You make some good suggestions for fun movement activities. I particularly like the freeze dance idea.
My suggestion is tai chi, which I enjoy both with and without music.
Warmly,
Andrea
Tai Chi is a wonderful form of exercise and movement. I find it beautiful to watch. Many years ago I practiced a form of it and found it a very centering way to work out.
I’m relatively new to tai chi, and I love the flowing movements. I think it’s musical movement even without music, if that makes any sense.
Of course, I have a toddler who is on the move all. the. time. Just keeping up with her gets me moving more! Plus, I’ve taught her to march as I improvise marching music on the piano, and now she asks for it!
Viewing Tai Chi as musical movement makes total sense to me, Rachelle. It will be fun to hear how your toddler’s movement activities expand in the next few months. I find scarves seem to encourage movement by children and older adults. Does she enjoy using props like scarves?
JoAnn,
The days that include a walk are better days at my house. 🙂 My mood is better and the kids have an energy level that is manageable. While I was grateful for the rain yesterday, I wish I had thought about freeze dance. It would have dialed down the “stir crazy” factor. I’ll tuck it away for my next rainy day.
Warmly,
Ann
I can totally relate to a walk helping with my mood and energy. Sounds like rain will be passing back through the midwest next week so you may be able to freeze dance sooner than later. Thanks for commenting.